Dooley Named Grand Marshal Of Independence Day Parade

Park Cities People co-founder Kirk Dooley has been named grand marshal of the Park Cities Fourth of July Parade. (Photo: Christina Barany)

Kirk Dooley has a lot of titles on his résumé, including publisher of Scots Illustrated, creator of the Texas Taxi Limousine Service, and Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 35.

Oh, and he was also a co-founder of the newspaper whose website you are reading at this moment.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Park Cities, Dooley can claim yet another designation: grand marshal of this year’s Park Cities Fourth of July Parade.

“What a great honor it is to be named grand marshal,” Dooley said. “Ever since the days back when I was a little boy decorating my bicycle for the parade, I’ve always thought this was the best day of the year in the Park Cities. I’m very appreciative and humbled.”

In 2007, the Highland Park High School Alumni Association presented Dooley the Highlander Award, which goes to an individual who has demonstrated significant commitment to Highland Park ISD through the giving of time, energy, and/or resources.

Among his commitments: He and his wife, Charlotte, have produced the HP team posters for two decades. He has been the announcer for Lady Scots basketball games for three seasons. He helped publish Scots football coach Randy Allen’s book, Coaching by The Book. And he contributed to the upcoming book about the district’s centennial.

A lifelong resident of University Park, Dooley writes a weekly column for The Dallas Morning News about life in the Park Cities. His other publishing ventures include Las Colinas Weekly, Homesick Texans, and Texas National News.

The Park Cities Fourth of July Parade is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Euclid Avenue near Highland Park Town Hall and end at University Park City Hall. Starting at 9:30 a.m., families can join in on the free Independence Day celebration at Goar Park, where food, games, and old-fashioned fun will be enjoyed by all.

This year’s parade will help support the North Texas Food Bank. Members of the Rotary Club of Park Cities will be accepting cash and check donations from parade-goers. Each dollar donated will provide three meals to hungry families. Drop-off boxes will also be stationed at Town Hall and Goar Park. If you forget your wallet on the day of the parade, the Rotary Club will also be accepting donations online through July 15.